Tariffs, explained
Let’s start with the basics, for those wondering. What are tariffs? Why would anyone ever want tariffs? This article covers everything from the history of tariffs to how South Korea successfully deployed them to how they’re most likely to affect our economy. Unfortunately, this piece cannot answer questions like, what will happen with tariffs tomorrow? That’s between Trump and his advisers.
America may be headed for this rare type of economic crisis
The tariffs might lead to a recession, but at least that means inflation will go down, right? Unfortunately, the hottest (and most ominous) word in economics right now is “stagflation,” a type of recession where lots of people lose their jobs and prices remain high. And tariffs — even the new, lower tariffs — may take us there. The key word here, thankfully, is “may.” I found this article helpful in understanding the threat of stagflation and also somewhat reassuring that it’s not necessarily a done deal.
My boyfriend wants to pay my expenses. Am I a bad feminist if I let him?
And now, for a different type of economic discussion. In the latest installment of her delightful philosophical advice column, Sigal Samuel responds to a reader who wonders whether it’s “fair” to let her higher-earning boyfriend pay more of their shared expenses, or more feminist to insist on splitting expenses 50/50. The discussion goes from Buddha to Clarice Lispector, from practical questions around social policy to a more mystical probing into the nature of identity.
These fluffy white wolves explain everything wrong with bringing back extinct animals
Perhaps you’ve heard the hype about scientists “bringing back” dire wolves. Unfortunately, according to Marina Bolotnikova, “the wolf pups are not dire wolves, and they haven’t been ‘de-extincted.’” In creating them, she writes, we are now morally responsible for them, and we are not ready.
🎧 Intraterrestrials
Escape the tariffs by taking a trip to the bottom of the ocean to learn about “intraterrestrials.” Nope, not extraterrestrials — but they are alien.
